Ajax name Italian Farioli as coach

AMSTERDAM : Ajax Amsterdam have confirmed the appointment of Francesco Farioli as coach starting next month, the Dutch club said in a statement.

Ajax, four-times European champions, signed a three-year contract with the 35-year-old Italian, ending weeks of speculation about Farioli moving from French club Nice to the Dutch giants.

Farioli will replace interim coach John van't Schip following a poor season in the Eredivisie in which Ajax ended in fifth place, their lowest finish since 1999-2000.

"I am very happy to be here in Amsterdam, and together with the other staff members we will work diligently," Farioli said on Thursday.

"We want to get back to basics and connect with what Ajax stands for. We also want to bring new energy with a positive way of working and thinking.

"We don't want to waste any time and get ready for the start of the season now to bring Ajax back to where it belongs."

Farioli becomes the first foreign coach of Ajax since Dane Morten Olsen in 1997.

Dutch media reported on Wednesday that Ajax will pay Nice 1.25 million euros in compensation.

Farioli took Nice to fifth in Ligue 1 last season. He coached Turkish sides Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor before joining Nice last year.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Johannesburg; Editing by Ed Osmond)